Iowa State University Extension and Outreachhttp://www.extension.iastate.edu/node/24350/atom/feed2014-06-17T09:43:10-05:00Iowa Learning Farms to Host Strip-Tillage Field Day in O'Brien Countyhttp://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/iowa-learning-farms-host-strip-tillage-field-day-obrien-county2014-06-17T08:54:54-05:002014-06-17T09:43:10-05:00eoadv_bpaulson

AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms will host a “Benefits of Strip-Tillage” field day at the farm of Tom Wagner near Primghar from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on June 23. The event is free-of-charge and open to the public, and a meal catered by Red’s Café will be served.

AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms will host a “Benefits of Strip-Tillage” field day at the farm of Tom Wagner near Primghar from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on June 23. The event is free-of-charge and open to the public, and a meal catered by Red’s Café will be served.

Tom Wagner and his brother Jim have been using strip-till and no-till methods since 2006. “We like the system for many reasons — time savings, fuel savings, equipment cost per acre, increased soil tilth, and soil conservation, while we maintain top end yields,” Tom Wagner said.

Wagner will share his experience using strip-tillage with field day attendees. Iowa Sate University Extension Field Agronomist Joel DeJong will provide additional information on strip-till and no-till farming, and ISU Water Quality Program Manager Jamie Benning will describe how the benefits of strip-tillage align with the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Additionally, the Conservation Station will be on display. The Conservation Station features a rainfall simulator that shows the effects that different surfaces from agricultural and urban environments have on the displacement of rain water.

The event site is located at 4236 Taft Avenue near Primghar. From Primghar, go three miles east on County Road B-40, then 3.25 miles south on County Road L-54 (Taft Ave.).

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation, encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms are the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319), Conserva­tion Districts of Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Water Center and Practical Farmers of Iowa.